Con Dao Special Economic Zone (Ho Chi Minh City): Developing high-quality tourism economy

As the only special economic zone under Ho Chi Minh City, Con Dao is expected to become a high-quality tourism and service economic zone, harmoniously combining island ecotourism, culture - history - spirituality and high-class resort tourism.

Orientation in the new period, sustainable development of Con Dao, with its own identity

Tourism is a key economic sector.

Con Dao currently has 249 accommodation businesses. Among them, large-scale tourism projects have been and are operating such as: Six Senses Resort with 5-star standard; Saigon - Con Dao Hotel, Workers' Rest House; Viet Nga High-class Eco-Resort...

Mr. Le Anh Tu - Secretary of Con Dao Special Zone shared that, according to the orientation, the locality develops its socio-economy in a special, sustainable and comprehensive direction associated with ensuring national defense - security and maintaining sovereignty over the sea and islands. Therefore, Con Dao will focus on developing high-quality tourism, becoming a national tourist area with a focus on sea and island eco-tourism, history - culture and spirituality, creating differences between sub-areas such as: the old quarter with French architecture, high-class resorts, Ben Dam, Dam Trau, Co Ong and the National Park...

The locality will prioritize upgrading Con Dao airport, developing a seaport that is qualified to receive international ships, building a logistics center and ensuring a synchronous power, water and waste treatment system. All of this will strictly comply with planning, heritage protection and natural landscape.

In addition, Con Dao will promote e-government, apply artificial intelligence in urban management, tourism and security. Effectively exploit existing infrastructure to attract strategic and reputable investors to develop high-end eco-tourism, create sustainable revenue for the budget, solve employment, improve people's lives and strengthen regional connectivity, promote comprehensive socio-economic development.

“Overall, the orientation of socio-economic development, especially tourism - the economic pillar of Con Dao, will focus on sustainable, modern development with identity, creating breakthroughs in tourism, environmental conservation, improving people's lives, while maintaining the strategic role in national defense and security of this important area,” - Secretary of the special zone Le Anh Tu stated.

Sustainable development, commitment to island protection

Since March 2025, the General Planning Project for Con Dao construction until 2045 has been submitted to the Government for approval, clearly affirming the development orientation into an international-class ecological - historical - cultural tourist area. However, the top priority is still to preserve the ecosystem and unique identity. According to the functional zoning orientation, Con Dao will develop according to the structural model of a special ecological island with a multi-center dispersed structural model. Each area is connected to the natural forest ecosystem and the sea surface. In particular, the regional orientation for the conservation of natural ecosystems includes: the main island area, small beaches and some small islands...

Priority areas for urban and tourism development include: Con Son central area; Con Dao prison special national relic site; renovated existing residential areas; newly developed urban and tourism areas; separate tourism and resort service areas...

The project also offers many solutions for developing the urban-tourism area in the direction of preserving, embellishing and promoting the values ​​of Con Dao Relic Site; renovating and embellishing the old quarters; developing low-rise tourist villa architecture; developing green trees combined with expanding the water surface associated with Quang Trung, An Hai and Quang Trung extended lakes; creating open spaces such as Hang Duong Square, Coastal Square... for cultural activities.

According to the project to adjust the general planning of Con Dao construction until 2045, Con Dao special zone will develop according to a specific ecological island model, with a multi-centered dispersed structure, in which each area is linked to the forest and sea ecosystem. The project clearly defines ecological conservation areas (including the main island, small beaches, and some satellite islands) and urban-tourism development areas (such as the center of Con Son, the prison relic site, renovated residential areas, new resorts, etc.).

The project also clearly outlines solutions for preserving and beautifying the old town, developing low-rise resort villas, expanding trees, water surfaces, coastal squares, etc. All are aimed at harmonizing modern development and preserving the landscape, culture, and history of the island.

Chairman of Con Dao Special Economic Zone Phan Trong Hien said: “We do not chase after the number of tourists but are selective. Each project is strictly assessed for its environmental impact. People and businesses must commit to protecting the island.”

According to Dai Doan Ket Newspaper

Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/dac-khu-con-dao-tp-ho-chi-minh-phat-trien-kinh-te-du-lich-chat-luong-cao-20250812083016624.htm